This bill amends existing South Dakota law to require both the director of the Legislative Research Council and the secretary of state to review initiated measures to determine if they comply with the single subject requirement outlined in the South Dakota Constitution. Specifically, the bill adds a new section that mandates the secretary of state to assess whether a proposed initiated measure embraces more than one subject. If the measure meets the single subject requirement, the secretary of state must provide written certification to the petition sponsor, the attorney general, and the director of the Legislative Research Council, and publish this certification on the secretary's website within fifteen working days. Conversely, if the measure violates the single subject rule, the secretary must notify the sponsor with an explanation and publish this notice online.

Additionally, the bill amends existing provisions regarding the review process for initiated measures and amendments to the Constitution. It specifies that the director of the Legislative Research Council must provide written comments on the submitted measures within fifteen workdays, including an opinion on whether the measure adheres to the single subject requirement. The sponsors of the initiated measures are allowed to amend their proposals based on the feedback received from both the director and the secretary of state. This legislative change aims to streamline the review process and ensure compliance with constitutional requirements for initiated measures in South Dakota.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/23/2025: 12-13-26.2
Senate Engrossed, 02/12/2025: 12-13-25, 12-13-26.2
Enrolled, 03/05/2025: 12-13-25, 12-13-26.2